Mormonism: The Priesthood
Mormons teach that a person is not baptized Scripturally unless he has been baptized by one who holds the priesthood of Aaron.
First, none of them hold that priesthood. The Aaronic priests were from the tribe of Levi (Num. 18:1,2). Even if Mormons could prove Levitical ancestry, that priesthood ceased and Christ became the priest after the order of Melchizedek (Heb. 7:11,12).
Second, according to their own material, Joseph Smith was baptized by one who did not hold the priesthood of Aaron. He said: “I baptized him (Oliver Cowdery) first, and afterwards he baptized me—after which I laid my hands upon his head and ordained him to the Aaronic Priesthood, and afterwards he laid his hands on me and ordained me to the same Priesthood” (The Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 10). The next paragraph says that John the Baptist conferred the Priesthood on them!
Mormonism is a humanly impressive and cleverly presented religion and many are deceived by its methods.
First, none of them hold that priesthood. The Aaronic priests were from the tribe of Levi (Num. 18:1,2). Even if Mormons could prove Levitical ancestry, that priesthood ceased and Christ became the priest after the order of Melchizedek (Heb. 7:11,12).
Second, according to their own material, Joseph Smith was baptized by one who did not hold the priesthood of Aaron. He said: “I baptized him (Oliver Cowdery) first, and afterwards he baptized me—after which I laid my hands upon his head and ordained him to the Aaronic Priesthood, and afterwards he laid his hands on me and ordained me to the same Priesthood” (The Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 10). The next paragraph says that John the Baptist conferred the Priesthood on them!
Mormonism is a humanly impressive and cleverly presented religion and many are deceived by its methods.